公开(公告)号：US08660238B1

公开(公告)日：2014-02-25

申请号：US13540997

申请日：2012-07-03

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23/04

CPC classification number: G01V5/0091

Abstract: A method of improving the detection of nuclear weapons in cargo containers. The container moves through an imaging region. An x-ray source emits a cone beam through the imaging region and to two or more detector columns, each detector column defining a fan beam. This hardware combines (1) the use of at least two detector assemblies, (2) use of both the current method and the photon counting method to determine x-ray intensities, and (3) use of large detector elements to increase the measured x-ray intensity by a typical factor of 270. The x-ray intensity for a pixel is read by each detector assembly at the appropriate time and the resulting x-ray intensities from each detector assembly are summed. A method of detecting a nuclear weapon includes identifying the nuclear device as the area of the image wherein a high absorption area is surrounded by a lower absorption area.

Abstract translation: 一种改进货物集装箱中核武器检测的方法。 容器移动通过成像区域。 X射线源通过成像区域和两个或更多个检测器柱发射锥形束，每个检测器列限定扇形束。 该硬件结合（1）使用至少两个检测器组件，（2）使用当前方法和光子计数方法来确定x射线强度，以及（3）使用大的检测器元件来增加测量的x 射线强度为270的典型因子。每个检测器组件在适当的时间读取像素的x射线强度，并将来自每个检测器组件的所得x射线强度相加。 检测核武器的方法包括将核装置识别为图像的区域，其中高吸收区域被较低的吸收区域包围。

公开(公告)号：US08094782B1

公开(公告)日：2012-01-10

申请号：US13032572

申请日：2011-02-22

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23/203 ,  G01N23/201

CPC classification number: A61B6/0435 ,  A61B6/483 ,  A61B6/502

Abstract: An x-ray source emits a cone beam a rapidly rotating, x-ray-opaque disc with four narrow radial slots. The slots break the cone beam into fan beams that are emitted to an x-ray-opaque plate with a narrow slit. As each fan beam moves across the plate, the slit produces a scanning x-ray pencil beam. The backscatter detector is mounted adjacent to the plate and has a slightly larger slit that is aligned with the plate slit. The pencil beam enters the object space through the detector slit. The pencil beam moves rapidly in a line across the object space, 20 cm in 0.1 second. Simultaneously, the assemblage of x-ray source, disc, plate, and detector moves slowly in the x direction at 1 mm in 0.05 second. Thus, the raster scan of the 20 cm×20 cm region is accomplished in 10 seconds.

Abstract translation: x射线源发射具有四个窄径向槽的快速旋转的x射线不透光盘的锥形束。 狭槽将锥形束分解成扇形光束，发射到具有狭窄狭缝的x射线不透明板。 当每个风扇梁移动穿过板时，狭缝产生扫描x射线笔形束。 后向散射检测器安装在板附近，并且具有与板狭缝对准的略大的狭缝。 铅笔光束通过检测器狭缝进入物体空间。 铅笔横梁在物体空间中快速移动，在0.1秒内20厘米。 同时，x射线源，盘，板和检测器的组合在x方向上以0.05秒的速度以1mm移动缓慢移动。 因此，20cm×20cm区域的光栅扫描在10秒内完成。

公开(公告)号：US07620150B1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-17

申请号：US12022751

申请日：2008-01-30

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23/203

CPC classification number: G01T1/163 ,  A61B5/441 ,  A61B6/483 ,  A61B6/502 ,  G01T1/203

Abstract: The apparatus has an x-ray source that emits an x-ray cone beam through a tubular, x-ray-blocking guide to a planar template with a small pinhole to produce a pencil beam. The template is movable so the pencil beam can scan the target region to be imaged. Between the template and target region is an x-ray detector assembly with a plastic scintillator. The scintillator has an opening about the same size and shape as the target region that allows the pencil beam to pass to the target region. Photo-multiplier detectors receive the light generated by the backscattered x-rays in the scintillator. The method of the present invention employs the apparatus. Multiple x-rays source locations permit the generation of 3D images.

Abstract translation: 该装置具有x射线源，其通过管状X射线阻挡引导件将x射线锥束发射到具有小针孔的平面模板以产生笔形束。 模板是可移动的，因此笔形光束可以扫描要成像的目标区域。 在模板和目标区域之间是具有塑料闪烁体的X射线检测器组件。 闪烁体具有与允许笔束通过目标区域的目标区域大致相同的大小和形状的开口。 光电倍增器检测器接收闪烁体中背散射X射线产生的光。 本发明的方法采用该装置。 多个X射线源位置允许生成3D图像。

公开(公告)号：US07023950B1

公开(公告)日：2006-04-04

申请号：US11054596

申请日：2005-02-09

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: H01J35/08 ,  H01J35/30

CPC classification number: H01J35/30 ,  G01N23/044 ,  G01N2223/419 ,  H01J2235/086

Abstract: A Laminography system with x-ray source and a detector assembly. The x-ray source uses a narrow, deflected pencil beam to scan to a linear target. An x-ray cone beam detected by the detector assembly is produced where the electron beam strikes the target. The target is a layer of high-emitting material that is partitioned with narrow regions of low-emitting material, where the low flux intensity is sufficiently low to be easily distinguished from the flux intensity of the high-emitting material. The target may be constructed as a discontinuous layer of high-emitting material applied to a substrate of low-emitting material, or as strips of low-emitting material applied to a continuous layer of high-emitting material.

Abstract translation: 具有X射线源和检测器组件的Laminography系统。 X射线源使用窄的，偏转的笔形线扫描到线性目标。 产生由检测器组件检测到的X射线锥形束，其中电子束撞击靶。 目标是由低发射材料的窄区域分隔的高发射材料层，其中低通量强度足够低以容易地与高发射材料的通量强度区分开。 靶可以被构造为施加到低发射材料的衬底的高发射材料的不连续层，或者作为施加到高发射材料的连续层的低发射材料的条带。

公开(公告)号：US06347132B1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-12

申请号：US09320006

申请日：1999-05-26

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23201

CPC classification number: G01V5/0091 ,  G01N23/04

Abstract: An x-ray inspection system for automatically detecting nuclear weapons materials generates a high energy x-ray fan beam or a traveling x-ray pencil beam that traverses an object under inspection. An x-ray detector detects x-ray energy that passes through the object and provides a detected signal indicative thereof. The detected signal is processed to detect the presence of an area of very high x-ray attenuation within the object under inspection, which is indicative of nuclear weapons materials. Because of the high atomic number (Z) and high density of nuclear weapons materials Uranium and Plutonium, both of these materials attenuate (i.e., absorb) incident x-rays significantly more than ordinary materials. That is, very high Z materials such as nuclear weapons materials, produce no x-rays outside of their block of material because the x-rays are self absorbed within the very high Z materials. Therefore, these materials can be detected by a transmission detectors, or by combining the readings from transmission and scatter detectors, if a pencil beam system is employed.

Abstract translation: 用于自动检测核武器材料的X射线检查系统产生高能X射线扇形光束或穿过检查对象的行进x射线笔形光束。 X射线检测器检测穿过物体的X射线能量，并提供表示其的检测信号。 检测到的信号被处理以检测在被检查物体内是否存在非常高的x射线衰减的区域，这表示核武器材料。 由于原子序数（Z）和高密度的核武器材料铀和钚，这两种材料都比普通材料显着地衰减（即吸收）入射的X射线。 也就是说，非常高的Z材料，如核武器材料，不会在其材料块之外产生X射线，因为x射线在非常高的Z材料内自吸。 因此，如果采用笔式光束系统，则这些材料可以由透射检测器检测，或通过组合来自透射和散射检测器的读数。

公开(公告)号：US06278115B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-21

申请号：US09384628

申请日：1999-08-27

Applicant: Martin Annis ,  Richard J. Adler ,  Robert J. Richter-Sand

Inventor： Martin Annis ,  Richard J. Adler ,  Robert J. Richter-Sand

IPC: G01T1166

CPC classification number: G01V5/0016 ,  G01V5/0025

Abstract: Transmission and scatter detectors for an x-ray inspection system preferably employing a moving pencil beam comprise a solid plastic scintillating material having a front planar surface that is impinged by incident x-ray energy. The detectors also include light detectors that are cooperatively mounted to the plastic scintillating material to detect photons within the plastic scintillating material created in response to x-rays incident on the front planar surface. The detector may be a transmission detector or a scatter detector. The detectors of the present invention are relatively thin in comparison to prior art detectors, which allows shielding to be reduced. In addition, the detectors of the present invention have a greater efficiency of detection in comparison to the prior art detectors.

Abstract translation: 用于X射线检查系统的透射和散射检测器优选地采用移动的铅笔束包括固体塑料闪烁材料，其具有被入射的x射线能量撞击的前平面表面。 检测器还包括光检测器，其被协同地安装到塑料闪烁材料上，以检测响应入射在前平面表面上的X射线产生的塑料闪烁材料内的光子。 检测器可以是传输检测器或散射检测器。 与现有技术的检测器相比，本发明的检测器相对较薄，这允许屏蔽减少。 此外，与现有技术的检测器相比，本发明的检测器具有更大的检测效率。

公开(公告)号：US5666393A

公开(公告)日：1997-09-09

申请号：US658012

申请日：1996-06-04

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23/04

CPC classification number: G01N23/04

Abstract: An improved X-ray inspection system comprises a pulsed X-ray source configured to emit short, X-ray pulses for reducing afterglow noise. A rotating cylindrical collimator limits the X rays to a pencil-beam, which is directed across and through an object prior to interception by a detector. The detector comprises a plurality of scintillating screens optically coupled to photoemissive detecting elements. When the short X-ray pulses generated by the source are intercepted by the detector, the outputs of the detecting elements are sampled for only a short period of time, which sampling period is immediately followed by a substantially longer quiescent period of time during which the elements are not sampled. Therefore, only a slight portion of the typical afterglow noise occurs during measurement of a useful X-ray signal.

Abstract translation: 改进的X射线检查系统包括被配置为发射短的X射线脉冲以减少余辉噪声的脉冲X射线源。 旋转的圆柱形准直器将X射线限制在铅笔光束，该笔线束在被检测器截取之前被引导穿过物体。 检测器包括与光发射检测元件光学耦合的多个闪烁屏。 当由源产生的短X射线脉冲被检测器截取时，检测元件的输出仅在短时间内被采样，该采样周期紧接着是基本上更长的静止时间段 元素不被采样。 因此，在有用的X射线信号的测量期间仅发生一小部分典型的余辉噪声。

公开(公告)号：US5224144A

公开(公告)日：1993-06-29

申请号：US758101

申请日：1991-09-12

Applicant: Martin Annis

Inventor： Martin Annis

IPC: G01N23/04 ,  G01V5/00 ,  G21K1/04

CPC classification number: G01V5/0016 ,  G01N23/04 ,  G21K1/04 ,  G21K1/043

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating image information for objects inspect with penetrating radiation which utilizes a flying spot scanner of reduced mass. Objects are scanned with penetrating radiation along curved scan lines. The flying spot scanner which effects such scanning has a stationary absorber plate having a fixed slit in it which is curved, as well as a chopper wheel having radially oriented slits. As the chopper wheel rotates, the radially oriented slits traverse the projection of the radiation passing through the fixed slit, and because this slit is curved, the radial slits may be of reduced length, and the chopper wheel may be of reduced mass. The detected radiant energy is divided into pixels, and the pixels are addressed to a utilization means such as a memory or a display in such manner that the pixels which correspond to a scan line of the object define a curved line in the utilization means which has the same shape as the curved scanning line.

Abstract translation: 一种用于利用具有减小质量的飞点扫描仪的穿透辐射来检查物体的图像信息的方法和装置。 物体沿着弯曲的扫描线以穿透辐射扫描。 实现这种扫描的飞点扫描器具有固定的吸收板，其中具有弯曲的固定狭缝，以及具有径向定向的狭缝的斩波轮。 当斩波轮旋转时，径向定向的狭缝横穿通过固定狭缝的辐射的突起，并且由于该狭缝是弯曲的，所以径向狭缝可以具有减小的长度，并且斩波轮可以具有减小的质量。 所检测的辐射能量被划分为像素，并且像素被以诸如存储器或显示器的利用装置寻址，使得与对象的扫描线相对应的像素在利用装置中限定了一条曲线，该曲线具有 与弯曲扫描线相同的形状。

公开(公告)号：US4839913A

公开(公告)日：1989-06-13

申请号：US40018

申请日：1987-04-20

Applicant: Martin Annis ,  Paul Bjorkholm

Inventor： Martin Annis ,  Paul Bjorkholm

IPC: G01N23/223 ,  G01V5/00

CPC classification number: G01V5/0025 ,  G01N23/223 ,  G01V5/0069 ,  G01N2223/076

Abstract: Information is derived from a selected fluorescent radiation line produced when an object is illuminated by a flying spot scanner. The illuminating radiation has an energy level sufficient to produce the fluorescent line when targeted components of the object are present and illuminated. A detector senses a fluorescent radiation line emitted from the targeted components to generate electrical fluorence based signals.

Abstract translation: 当通过飞点扫描仪照射物体时，从所选择的荧光辐射线得到信息。 当物体的目标成分存在和照明时，照射辐射具有足以产生荧光线的能级。 检测器感测从目标成分发射的荧光辐射线，以产生基于电流辉度的信号。

公开(公告)号：US4819256A

公开(公告)日：1989-04-04

申请号：US040019

申请日：1987-04-20

Applicant: Martin Annis ,  Paul Bjorkholm

Inventor： Martin Annis ,  Paul Bjorkholm

IPC: G01N23/18 ,  G01N23/201

CPC classification number: G01N23/18

Abstract: A method of imaging for enhancing detection of cracks or flaws in an object using penetrating radiation is disclosed wherein a contrast medium is applied to an object before illumination and scatter radiation is detected from the object. This is achieved by employing a flying spot scanner and a backscatter imaging technique allowing imaging of objects which are not completely accessible, e.g. imaging the object where only one side accessible.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种使用穿透辐射来增强物体中裂纹或裂纹的检测的成像方法，其中在从对象检测到照明和散射辐射之前将造影剂施加到物体上。 这通过使用飞点扫描器和后向散射成像技术来实现，该技术允许对不完全可访问的物体进行成像，例如， 成像对象，只有一面可以访问。